North Korean balloon sparks tension with Seoul leaflet drop

The Presidential Security Service reported the explosion, which occurred early Thursday morning (late Wednesday night in Poland). It noted that the scattered items did not pose a threat and were collected safely.

According to Yonhap, the balloon carried leaflets with content critical of the Republic of Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee.

One leaflet accused the head of state of "talking in his sleep about the regime's downfall in the face of nuclear power." This accusation refers to a speech by Yoon on Armed Forces Day, where he warned Pyongyang that using nuclear weapons would mean "the end of the North Korean regime."

Another leaflet called the First Lady a "modern-day Marie Antoinette," highlighting the cost of her accessories, such as necklaces and earrings. Kim was recently at the center of a scandal after being accused of accepting a luxury handbag from a Methodist Church pastor.

Meanwhile, according to the South Korean newspaper "Chosun Daily," the leaflets included photos of the presidential couple with the comment, "Fortunately, President Yoon and his wife have no children."

This incident marks the second time a balloon from the North has landed within the presidential complex in central Seoul, which is a no-fly zone. The first such incident took place on July 24.

Since the end of May, communist North Korea has sent thousands of balloons over its southern neighbor's territory in 30 salvos, with bags filled with trash attached.

This ongoing activity has added to the growing tension between the two countries. The balloons usually carry torn clothing, scrap paper, and plastic waste. This time, for the first time, the delivery of leaflets criticizing the authorities in Seoul was confirmed.

The authorities in Pyongyang claim that these actions are in response to balloons with propaganda leaflets sent over its territory by civilian organizations from the South.

Source: PAP/ The Chosun Daily/WP